Vulcan set for Cold War tour to close season

Darren Burke

The world’s last remaining flying Vulcan bomber is to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a Cold War tour.

XH558, which is stationed at Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster, is scheduled to take to the skies on September 25 for the historic event which will be its final date of the season.

A spokesman for the Vulcan To The Sky Trust, which operates the plane, said: “As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, the last flying example of Britain’s famous V-Force is to make a spectacular salute to the heroic airmen and women who helped protect our nation throughout the Cold War.

“We can tell you that we are planning a dedicated sortie of at least two hours duration that will visit key places related to the Cold War and particularly, V-Force aircraft. This will be XH558’s final flight of the 2014 season.

“As well as closing off our season theme in an appropriate manner, it will help raise valuable awareness of our funding needs and offer some unique ways in which you can become involved.”

As soon as final arrangements have been made, a full route map and timing details will be made available. An alternative flying day of September 26 has also been pencilled in in case of bad weather on the Thursday.

A commemorative route map is also being designed as a gift for those who support the Cold War Tour with a donation of £25. Supporters who help to make the flight possible will also receive a Cold War Tour 2014 collector’s certificate.